How To Create Boundaries For Work And Life Balance

Make A Rule To Never Work Or Talk Shop When You’re Off The Clock

Inevitably there will be people in your life who solicit your wisdom, coaching, or services for free without asking if it’s okay with you. I don’t believe they do it to be disrespectful, it’s because you have not created and/or enforced a healthy boundary. When I’m put that exact situation, I simply say something like, “I can hear that you’re struggling with XYZ and I’d love to support you, so why don’t you shoot me an email and we can set up a time to talk about it during my business hours.”

By implementing that strategy, you will immediately be freed up to socialize and unplug from your business.

Soul Sisters And Besties Are An Exception

Now, I do have a small handful of friends that I consider soul sisters, and we absolutely have no problem supporting each other by talking about our struggles – as a matter of fact, it’s our joy to help and coach each other through the shit we’re bumping up against from time to time – that’s friendship, it’s not taking advantage. We set up an mutually convenient time to speak to each other and exchange support.

Just Call Me A Boundaries Queen

I can honestly say that I feel like an expert on the subject of boundaries, because when I was younger I allowed people to take advantage of me. I allowed others to take advantage of my kindness… I would say yes when my head was screaming no… I allowed conversations that I felt uncomfortable to me to continue… I had zero healthy boundaries.

When I began my personal healing and transformation in my late 30’s, I went inward working from the inside-out, and I’ve been coined a “Boundaries Dominatrix” – from one of my private clients years ago but I much prefer Boundaries Queen. With that being said, I want to share some of my best practices to creating healthy work/life boundaries with you. The following are in addition to the – Make a rule to never work or talk shop when you’re off the clock.

How To Set Boundaries For Life – Work Balance

1. Have a set start and end time to your day. Don’t let your work invade your personal time. I for one used to struggle with this big time, and still do on occasion if I’m not mindful. You can rest assured that work will always fill the time you allot it (and then some), so you may find that you’re much more efficient and on task when you have a limited but ample amount of time to work on your business. Use a calendar and stick to your schedule. I schedule EVERYTHING in my online Gmail calendar– even my down time. It’s my Virgo nature – everything must be organized and accounted for. Take time every day to refill your cup and rejuvenate YOU before and after work time.
2. It absolutely CANNOT be all work and no play. If you like travel, join a travel club. If you like to read, join a book club. If you like to create art, join an art club or go to an art class. This will expose you to people who know nothing about your business, but still share the same interests that you do. They won’t want anything from you except your thoughts on your favorite destination, book, or artist – how refreshing!
3. Go out with your friends. And… if topics about your work come up, gently let them know that you’re not open to having a conversation about business, that you need a break, and that you don’t feel you can be their “coach” and their friend at the same time. If that feels too harsh, ask them to send a text or email to you and then set up a time in your calendar to connect with them during your business hours.
4. Discover who YOU are. Listen here beautiful, you are NOT the hats you wear. Do some journaling about who you are outside of your business…. what you like, and what you don’t like. What makes you feel juicy, vibrant and like a goddess. As a matter of fact, I’ve created a fabulous resource that will help you determine all of those things and more called the Design Your Goddess Lifestyle Planner™. You can download your free copy by clicking here and filling out the web form.

It’s always my pleasure to guide you from disempowered woman to Empowered Creatrix. The truth is that the magic lies within YOU.

You’re responsible for creating your magical and first class life and no one else can do it for you! Give yourself that gift!